Businessman who torched two Fife homes is jailed

A Fife man has been jailed after two homes were set alight in Glenrothes, putting the lives of 13 people in danger.

Naveed Iqbal (34), from Leven, was found guilty of attempted murder at Glasgow High Court last month and today was jailed for 16 years.

A youth in one of the houses were left permanently scarred by burns suffered and among those in the targeted homes was a three-year-old girls.

Jurors at the trial heard Iqbal, who ran a car repair business, was looking for revenge after his brother was assaulted at a McDonald’s restaurant and the incident was posted on social media.

Lit bottles containing a flammable liquid were thrown through ground floor windows of two houses in Glenrothes on 28th March.

Seven people were in the house in Adrian Road and six people were within Alexander Road when the properties were torched at around 11.30pm.

A 16-year-old boy, who was within the house in Adrian Road, sustained burns to his chest and torso and was taken to St Johns Hospital in Livingston.

Detective Inspector Paul Dick, of Glenrothes CID, said, “A teenage boy has been left permanently scarred as a result of Iqbal’s actions which directly endangered the lives of 13 people, the youngest of which was a three-year-old girl.

“As a result of a thorough investigation which involved resources from CID, uniform officers and colleagues in forensics, Iqbal was identified as being responsible. CCTV proved invaluable in this inquiry, as did the support of the local community.

“Iqbal’s actions could have had catastrophic consequences. He risked the lives of two families, as well as those of the residents living nearby, and we welcome this outcome.”